Alabama's top speller gets first word right

WASHINGTON -- The first word in the first oral round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee was spelled correctly this morning by Alabama's representative in the competition, 14-year-old Grace Pyo of Shelby County.

Pyo, a home-schooled eighth-grader, spelled "incidental" and now waits while 285 other spellers take their turn. She'll be first-up again in the second round sometime later today, which is when the eliminations begin.

The attrition continues Thursday during the semifinals, to be broadcast live on ESPN, and the final rounds Thursday night live on ABC. The champion this year will receive $30,000 cash plus other prizes.

Pyo also takes classes at Excelsior Education Center Co-Op. Her family's trip to Washington is sponsored by The Birmingham News.